If a customer's purchases total $74.35 and the customer gives you $100, what is the correct change using the smallest number of bills and coins possible?

• A. A $20 bill, a $5 bill, 6 dimes, 5 pennies
• B. A $20 bill, a $5 bill, 2 quarters, 1 dime, 1 nickel
• C. A $20 bill, a $5 bill, 3 quarters
• D. A $20 bill, a $5 bill, 6 dimes, 1 nickel

Answer: (B)

To give the fewest currency pieces, you minimize the number of bills and coins while making the exact amount of change. The customer paid 100.00 for an item costing 74.35, so the change needed is 25.65.

Start with the largest bills: use a $20 bill, leaving 5.65. Then use a $5 bill, reaching 25.00 and leaving 0.65 to make with coins.

To make 0.65 with the fewest coins, the best combination is two quarters (0.50) plus a dime (0.10) and a nickel (0.05). That adds four coins. In total you give 1 twenty, 1 five, 2 quarters, 1 dime, and 1 nickel — six pieces.

This six-piece change uses fewer items than other valid ways (for example, using pennies or more dimes could require many more coins, and using three quarters would exceed the required amount).